Detectives investigating the death of a father-of-three have appealed for helping in piecing together the final five hours of his life.

Divorcee Maurice Hilton died last weekend after suffering a single knife wound to his chest.

Paramedics and police discovered the wounded 46-year-old after being called to a terraced house in Beechdale Close, Station Town, near Peterlee, County Durham shortly before 2am on Sunday.

He was rushed to the University Hospital of Hartlepool, but died two hours later.

Detective superintendent Andy Reddick, who is leading the investigation into the killing, said that the last confirmed sighting of Mr Hilton prior to the incident had been at 8.15pm on Saturday.

Mr Hilton lived at Dormand Villa, a local-authority run sheltered housing complex around 100 yards from the scene of the stabbing, where he was visited by his father.

Detectives are now appealing for anyone who saw Mr Hilton, who was said to have a wide circle of friends across the North-East, after that point to come forward.

Det Supt Reddick said: "At this stage, we have no idea where he went after that, but we do know one of his favourite haunts was the Walkabout pub in Durham City's North Road, but we also know he frequented other pubs around the city.

"We need to speak to anyone who saw him socialising, walking or travelling and any stage after 8.15pm on Saturday night and into the early hours of Sunday morning."

On the night of the incident, Mr Hilton is believed to have been wearing a green khaki coloured three-quarter length jacket, a light blue long-sleeved Next T-shirt and dark blue cordurouy trousers with a black belt.

Anyone with information is asked to ring police on 0845 6060365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

* Louisa Ovington, 27, of Beechdale Close, Station Town, appeared before Peterlee Magistrates Court on Monday charged with murder. She was remanded in custody to appear before Newcastle Crown Court on January 17.